WHAT I WATCH IREVIEW: MAGELLAN

Arrowstorm Entertainment

Directed by Rob York

Screenplay by Rob York & Scott Baird

Starring Brandon Ray Olive
Whitney Palmer
K. Danor Gerald
D. L. Walker
Matthew Mercer (Voice Only)
Nicola Posener (Voice Only)

Recently I picked up Magellan on DVD from WalMart, which is apparently an early WalMart release.

I liked the Key art and the premise seemed good. I knew going in this was low budget, but that is not always a killer for me – as it is for many people.

Popping in the disc I saw Arrowstorm Entertainment, the same company behind the Mythica series (I loved the first one – need to watch the rest). That gave me some hope.

Some hope, not complete hope as it seems. Not entirely misplaced, but only just.

Magellan is the story of Roger Nelson, USAF (Captain or Commander?), an astronaut who finally gets a mission to the stars. One that requires him to leave his wife behind for a decade. NASA has discovered alien transmissions – three of them – originating within our Solar System.

Nelson is sent out to investigate and find the sources of the transmissions. He is aided by two A.I.s (voiced by Matthew Mercer and Nicola Posener).

This is basically a one man show carried by Brandon Ray Olive as Roger Nelson.

I will get this out of the way right now: The best and worst thing I can say about Magellan is that it is an average film at best. Not good, but not terrible either.

In fact (and this may sound odd), it is better than it should be, but not good as good as it could have been. Magellan has some very lofty ambitions (2001 anyone?), and really reaches to be an intellectual sci-fi tale. It just falls short.

As I mentioned above, this is a low budget affair – and it shows. In this case, there are a number of scenes where the budget is a killer. The CGI for the space scenes are very badly done, coming in looking like early nineties CGI.

The scenes on the moons on which Nelson lands on are terrible, and none of them look convincing.

The set scenes for the interior of the Magellan – although small and sterile looking – are believable and passable.

Worse than the low budget is the low quality acting – specifically from Whitney Palmer (as Nelson’s Wife) and K. Danor Gerald (as Nelson’s direct superior). Their time on screen is fortunately limited – as is their performances – but when they are on screen it is painful to watch.

The screenplay is one of the stronger parts of Magellan. The plot and purpose of the story (discovery) is very good and at times engaging and thoughtful – if not thought provoking. But there are some things that drag the story down.

The biggest point is Nelson’s wife and the relationship shown. It doesn’t work on any level. A plot point where it is mention she sent him a message and hinted that it is not good and she tried to delete it, is dropped for no reason and seems to have been forgotten. Since it was presented for the time mentioned as important, then never used, it would have been better served deleted from the film.

The ultimate strength of this film is Brandon Ray Olive – who carries this entire film on his shoulders. He appears in 99% percent of the film by himself – a lone astronaut on a ten year mission. He gives a fair, even handed and mostly believable performance, if at times shaky.




My biggest problem with this whole thing is Roger Nelson’s rank, which changes from Captain to Commander numerous times. It is specifically shown that he is United States Air Force (USAF). That would make him a Rank of Captain. NOT Commander. USAF does not use the Rank of Commander, only the Naval Services do.

In the end Magellan ultimately disappoints, never quite living up to its goal, but trying. It presents an interesting premise and ideas, but never fully develops them.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Sci-Fi and film festival buffs may be engaged. Others not so much.
The ‘so bad, it’s good’ crowd, won’t find too much here.

RATING: 5

BURNING MIND COMIC BOOK REVIEW: ELSEWHERE #1 & 2

ELSEWHERE
#1 & 2

Creators Jay Faerber & Sumeyye Kesgin

Writer Jay Faerber

Artist Sumeyye Kesgin

Colorist Ron Riley

Publisher IMAGE COMICS

Did you know that Amelia Earhart (link) disappeared into another dimension, meet DB Cooper (link) there and become embroiled in a rebellion against an oppressor named Lord Kragen? No?

Why Not!!

Obviously you aren’t reading Elsewhere by Jay Faerber & Sumeyye Kesgin coming forth from Image Comics.

I picked up Elsewhere on the strength of Faerber’s CooperHead (which I love) and so far, so good through two issues.

Elsewhere is an fantasy action/adventure title that tells us Amelia’s adventures in this new world, as she searches for her co-pilot Fred and wants to go home. She’s befriended by two aliens, Cort and Tavel, gets thrown into a dungeon, meets DB Copper who finds himself here after his own airplane jump, and is basically in a lot of trouble.

There are two interesting tidbits in these two issues that aren’t really touched on yet – but feel important.

One: This world’s language is identical to English.

Two: Lord Kragen wants her dead because her arrival was foretold. (See, that seems important.)

The first issue was very fast paced, more action packed and introduced us to Amelia and her two new allies. The second issue has less action, a slower pace but expands the world, and gives us more of a view of what is going on – introducing new characters.

The ultimate strength of Elsewhere is Faerber’s writing. The ultimate strength of the writing is in the characterization. Amelia, Cort and Tavel are full fledge characters with their own personalities, they – so far – are the driving points of the story.

Sumeyye Kesgin’s art is solid, but not spectacular. It complements Faerber’s story very well and never threatens to overwhelm the narrative. The real strength of Kesgin’s art is the layout and flow to the story.

Overall Elsewhere is an expertly crafted title, filled with adventure that promised to only get ramped up in future issues.

It’s time to disappear into Elsewhere.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Fun and entertaining.

RATING: 7.5 – Recommended Reading.

BURNING MIND COMIC BOOK REVIEW: John Carpenter’s TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION

John Carpenter’s TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION

THE VAULT
# 1 & 2

Series Created by John Carpenter & Sandy King

Vault created and written by James Ninness

Pencils and Inks by Andres Esparza

Colors by Sergio Martinez

Publisher: Storm King Comics

The Vault is the first tale (a three-parter) presented in the new science fiction anthology ongoing comic book series ‘John Carpenter’s TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION.’

In THE VAULT the crew of the ship GAIA stumbles across a mysterious alien vessel. The mystery? THE VAULT painted on the ship in English, and Emily Dickinson Poem scribbled on a wall and Arabic Numerals used on controls.

Plus, there is an alien lizard creature stalking the crew.

All the troupes one would expect from a John Carpenter sci-fi film are here. In fact this doesn’t just recall John Carpenter style films, there are elements from many starship set sci-fi films, from Aliens to knock-offs like Star Crystal and Dead Space.

The writing, from James Ninness is fairly solid – if just covering the same ground as every other sci-fi film or comic of the genre. The characters lack, but the pacing and action are decent.

The art work is both the best thing about the title, and the most problematic. Andres Esparza pencil work and inks are very good, but the coloring causes problems.

The book is very dark, murky and muddled to the point where some panels (and some entire pages) are mired in darkness and barely viewable. This is usually caused by the original file being too dark, and only becoming darker when printed (a common problem among indie comics).

This makes the pages almost unreadable, as one can barely tell what is going on. This destroys any flow the story and art may have.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Another comic book series with the ‘John Carpenter’s’ tag, but this is best one so far. Even if problematic, it is better than titles like ‘John Carpenter’s THE ASYLUM.’

RATING: 5

BURNING MIND COMIC BOOK REVIEW: I Hate Fairyland #15

By Skottie Young

Publisher: Image Comics

F*%K FAIRYLAND.

Wait . . . LOVE FAIRYLAND

NO . . . FLUFF FAIRYLAND!

Nope, not right either.

Wait, I got it:
I FLUFFING LOVE TO HATE ‘I HATE FAIRYLAND!’

This may well be the best monthly book on the market from any publisher, period. It certainly is the most subversive, degenerate, fun, entertaining, violent, wrong title from any (major) publisher. Which means it is GREAT!




So far, I have not disliked any issue. Skottie Young has proven himself to be an all-round talent, with not just artistic skills, but storytelling skills that put many ‘writers’ to shame.

This title also proves that sometimes the best stories are the simplest stories, told in a simple yet complex way.

Anyway, who doesn’t love a 5-yeard old mass murder!

If you don’t know I HATE (FUCK) FAIRYLAND is about Gertrude, who has been stuck in Fairyland for thirty years trying to find a way home, with her guide, the flying fly Larry. Did I mention Gertie has been stuck in her five year old body the whole time? That’s kind of important.

Needless to say she has gone kinda insane and has been on a murderous rampage to find her way home. Over the last few issues though, she has changed her ways, becoming nice and innocent – which leads us to issue #15!

Gertie finds her way home! Kindness rules over murders as in just a few days Gertie discovers that being kind leads her to find the way home, where being hateful didn’t. Gertie is happy! Fairyland is happy! Larry is Happy!

Then the FLUFF happens! Gertie . . . is gone. This is both good and bad.

Good #1: Fairyland is Free of Gertie.

Good #2: Larry is Free of Gertie!

Good #3: Gertie is Free of Fairyland and Larry!

Bad #1: Gertie hasn’t gone home.

Gertie has no found herself in a place possibly far worse than Fairyland.

Question is, can this new Hell handle Gertie, or well it truly learn what Damnation is?



Across the board I HATE FAIRYLAND is awesome. Yes, it may be a little predictable at times and follow some standard paths, but it does it so well and entertaining who cares? Just enjoy the ride.

FINAL THOUGHT:
I FLUFFING LOVE TO HATE ‘I HATE FAIRYLAND!’

RATING: 9
FLUFFING REQUIRED READING

Burning Mind Comic Book Review: SKIN & EARTH #1 & #2

It’s odd, two weeks in a row I have chosen two new releases to read and review unaware that both were based on concepts albums I had never heard of. Last week it was Galaktikon, based on a Brendon Small album from 2012.

This week it is Skin & Earth, based upon/a companion piece to, the album Skin & Earth GIANTS by LIGHTS.

Before reading this comic I had never heard of LIGHTS. Now I know she is a singer/song-writer (and with this comic a comic creator) out of Canada.

I picked up Issue #1 when it came out last month, but it never made its way out of the bag and board. I picked up Issue #2 this past Wednesday and read both that night.

So what is Skin & Earth? Hard question to answer, as it is defiantly up to the interpretation of the reader.

It’s part straight forward narrative, part surreal and very vague. Skin & Earth follows En Jin and her life in a post apcalutic world where little is left habitable on planet Earth. En lives in the Red City, with a group of people who may be toxic to humanity (vague) and travels to the Pink Area on a student visa to attend Tempest University, while wearing a medical mask.

In these two issues we learn about En, her life, her hopes and watch as her heart gets ripped out.

Right now, Skin & Earth is about the life of En in this God Awful world she lives in, and the hope she has for more. A hope that may lead to hurt more often than not.

So what is Skin & Earth? Skin & Earth is about a young girl lost in a world not of her own making desperately searching for hope and to be found. But the question can be asked, is this book about En Jin, or about the Earth itself?

LIGHTS handles all the creative chores on this book and does it well. There are some pitfalls, but overall the creativity and talent on display overcome them. Sometimes the dialog doesn’t click and can be confusing. The art style is good, and suites the story, but sometimes seems a bit off. None of these small issues take away from what it being said though.

There is the one question I have about the book. It’s an odd one, but prevalent:

Is Skin & Earth saying something, or nothing at all?

FINAL THOUGHTS:

At first Skin & Earth can feel a little too artsy, to vague, over reaching and a little fluffy. The thing is, it is also haunting and makes you think.

RATING: 7
A Recommended read. Not quite required reading yet.

ACE’S NOTE:
Like I did, you can found out more about Skin & Earth and about LIGHTS herself at: http://skinandearth.iamlights.com

There’s also a cool music video GIANTS.

Burning Mind Comic Book Review: Brendon Small's GALAKTIKON

#1 (of 6)
Written By Brendon Small (with Eric Powell)

Art by Steve Mannion

Published by Albatross Funnybooks

I just finished reading Brendon Small’s Galaktikon, coming forth from Eric Powell’s Albatross Funnybooks. Why? Because I’m a fan of a lot of Small’s work – and Eric Powell. Both are talented guys.

So, what is Galaktikon about? I’m not really sure. Hell if I know quite honestly.

To start with Steve Mannion’s art work is stylish and a little rough, but I believe that is by design. It perfectly fits the story, filled with monsters, a robot sidekick, a robotic judge, alien lawyers, a prison world (fucking zoo) and prison guards who don’t tie their shoes.



In this first issue we learn about a gentlemen called Triton – a supposed hero. A hero who is getting divorced from his wife because he sent d*#k pics to an exotic dancer on a planet named Ambrosia (I’m not making this up). Or as he puts it ‘sucks at social media.’

Turns out the hero is a real Dick (who knows, could be his real name).I mean, come on, this is a guy who – to escape pappazzi – has his ship go into full ‘DangerTits Mode.’ Yikes!

Yes, this first issue show us how much of a douche this great galactic hero is as he is getting divorced.

Brendon Small (with Eric Powell) tells a weird, off kilter story, whose strongest points are stellar dialog, and the characterization of the no-good Hero and his lawyer.

The things is, I have two problems with this first issue:

#1 I’m not sure if what I read is brilliant, or brilliant crap.

#2 I really want to read the next issue to see what happens, how much further this guy can fall and if I can figure out problem #1.

Final thoughts:
So, that said it seems like issue #1 did part of it job – I want to read more. If for no other reason than to find out if I like it.

For Brendon Small and fans of off-kilter weirdness, I would call this a must read.

Rating: 5 (May Improve with future issues.)

Special Note: After writing this review, I discovered that this mini-series is actually an adaptation of the GALAKTIKON album released by Brendon Small in 2012 (during Metalocalypse years). Somehow I missed that – but not for much longer.

The album GALAKTIKON II: Become the Storm is due out on August 25th.

State of the Burning Mind -- The Burning Mind Returns

Welcome Comic Books Fans!

The Burning Mind is back with Volume 100,000,000,000,000,000 of the planned, sometimes, semi, occasionally, ongoing blog discussing comic books.

Forget me? Oh, well.

Never Knew me? That might be good. Who knows?

Never heard of the Burning Mind blog? Probably more my fault then yours. Let’s change that now, shall we.

Well, comic books fans, it’s been a while.

First thing I want to say is:

I LOVE COMICS!

Second Thing:

I LOVE COMICS!

Third Thing:

BURNING MIND IS BACK! 

(AGAIN . . .)

So, a little history. The Burning Mind started as a column on the Comics Bulletin website (comicsbulletin.com – check them out NOW!). Then migrated over to a Blog for reasons unknown!

As I blog I tried to keep to a bi-weekly schedule, with weekly reviews of new indie comics I picked up each week. My schedule didn’t always allow that though, in fact I believe this is the first piece I have written for the blog in 2017. Maybe, I have to check.

Whether it has been for ComicsBulletin or for this Blog my thoughts on comics run the gamut on subjects, style and formats. I’ve written pieces that have been acclaimed and considered quite good, some fluff (of course) and even controversial articles (such as one on Jack Kirby which actual had a guy threaten to kill me. Yep. Happened.)

I don’t keep to any particular style and write on anything I want to that has something to do with comics. I’ve done editorial pieces, news pieces, reviews and straight out rants! In the past I have also done a series of “How To” on creating and publishing comics that remains unfinished. I should look into restarting and finishing that series.

If you didn’t know, I am a creator, have been and will be again one day, a comic book publisher as well. Also, a published writer with numerous short story credits and an indie filmmaker.

Ok, little history lesson is over. The Future.

The Future is always in Flux. I have a busy schedule coming up – but this blog is planned to be part of that. My plans for the rest of 2017 is to return to my weekly indie reviews starting this week (the first week of August), and to write at least one piece a month on something to do with Comic Books – no matter what it is! (Any ideas?!)

The Reviews will go up each Saturday. The Monthly pieces on a Wednesday.

Well, that’s it for now I think. If things change, I’ll let you know.

Wait, guess what – something changed! I remembered something as I wrote that sentence!

Social Media! I suck at social media, but am going to make a conscious effort to get better. So I will soon be launching a new Twitter and Facebook page to go along with the Burning Mind Blog. Stay Tuned.

Since Today is August 2 (and Wednesday), I may cheat and call this 'State of' my monthly piece for August.

We'll see.

Later.

Ace Masters